News Editor
Zimbabwe has shattered the record for the highest score in men’s T20 international cricket, amassing an astonishing 344 runs for the loss of 4 wickets against The Gambia in a qualifying match for the 2026 World Cup in Nairobi, Kenya.
Sikandar Raza led the charge with a phenomenal unbeaten 133 runs off just 43 balls. His explosive innings not only propelled Zimbabwe to a commanding total but also set a new benchmark in T20I history, surpassing the previous record of 314-3 set by Nepal against Mongolia last year in Hangzhou, China.
Raza reached his century in just 33 balls, equaling Namibia’s Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton as the second-fastest century in T20I cricket. The fastest remains Sahil Chauhan’s 27-ball hundred for Estonia against Cyprus earlier this year.
In addition to Raza’s spectacular performance, Tadiwanashe Marumani contributed a rapid 62 runs off 19 balls, Clive Madande scored 53 not out from 17 balls, and Brian Bennett added 50 runs off 26 balls, with all four batsmen playing crucial roles in Zimbabwe’s record-breaking innings.
On the bowling front, Brandon Mavuta and Richard Ngarava both took three wickets, with figures of 3 for 10 and 3 for 13, respectively, helping to bowl out The Gambia for just 54 runs. Zimbabwe’s victory came by a staggering 290 runs.
This win secures Zimbabwe’s advancement into the final round of Africa qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, set to take place next year. Alongside Zimbabwe, Namibia, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, and Kenya have also qualified for the next stage of the tournament.
The Gambia’s journey in the tournament has been tumultuous, having become Associate members of the ICC in 2017 and currently ranked 95th in the world. They made history earlier in the tournament by being the first team to lose two T20 internationals by walkover, unable to field teams for matches against Rwanda and Seychelles.
